PASADENA – Hundreds of young women did their best to make an impression on Tournament of Roses judges Saturday as they vied for seven spots on the 2011 Tournament of Roses Royal Court.

An estimated 800 hopefuls tried out Saturday at the Tournament House, 391 S. Orange Grove Boulevard, Tournament of Roses officials said. Several hundred more are expected when tryouts continue Monday from 3 to 5 p.m.

As she waited in line for her chance to introduce herself to the judges, one 19-year-old lifelong Pasadena resident at Pasadena City College student said the Rose Parade is part of her family’s tradition.

“I actually camp out every year on the parade route with family,” she said. “That’s why they’re always pushing me to (try out).”

She said she’d love to earn a spot on the Royal Court, but is happy just to be a part of the process.

“I do it for fun,” she said. “I’m not really trying to compete.”

In an effort to keep the selection process anonymous, contestants are identified by numbers and asked not to reveal their names.

Everyone who tries out receives tickets to the Royal Ball, which will be held Friday.

During the first round of tryouts, the contestants were given 15 seconds to introduce themselves to the judges and explain why they want to be on the Royal Court.

“I’m not really nervous, I’m more excited,” said a 19-year-old hopeful from Pasadena City College and she jokingly practiced her “princess wave.”

She added that she tried out two years ago at age 15 but found out she was too young to be eligible.

“I’m looking forward to the ball, too,” she said.

One 17-year-old contestant from San Gabriel Mission High School in San Gabriel said her mother tried out for the Royal Court when she was in high school.

“I’ve heard about this from the moment I was born,” she said.

“If I got that call back (for the quarterfinals),” she added, “I would throw a party for myself and probably scream for five minutes.”

The process is not a beauty pageant, explained Ed Afsharian, chairman of the Tournament of Roses Queen and Court Committee.

He said judges are looking for young women who are “articulate, bright and charming.”

Following the first round of tryouts, which will wrap up Monday, 250 young women will be called back for the quarterfinals on Sept. 25.

The pool of hopefuls will be narrowed to 75 for the semifinals on Sept. 30, and only 25 will be asked to return for the finals Oct. 7.

A position on the Royal Court comes with a year packed with public appearances and special events.

Brian Day has covered crime and breaking news for the Southern California News Group since 2007. He’s a graduate of California State University, Fullerton and Cerritos College in Norwalk. He loves dogs and has a pet German shepherd, which in turn, has a pet cat. Brian is a local news junkie, a licensed drone pilot and a part-time science geek with an unfortunate predilection for puns.